Around 1,000 residents of 350 families staying in structures falling in the C1 category across the ten ward committees in the city had to be relocated to safer places before today day end

Lack of space to rehabilitate residents evacuated from dilapidated buildings has reportedly slowed down the TMC drive to evacuate nearly 62 structures classified as dangerous in the city.

Around 1,000 residents of 350 families staying in structures falling in the C1 category across the ten ward committees in the city had to be relocated to safer places before June 7. However, just 28 of these buildings have been evacuated till now, raising questions about whether the drive would be continued.

As per state norms, these 90 structures are beyond repair and will have to be pulled down. They are most likely to collapse in the rains and evacuating them has become necessary.

Around 150 families were recently evacuated from 28 structures and have been temporary rehabilitated under rental schemes. Many have arranged for alternate accommodation.

The TMC was banking on a rental housing scheme at Vartak Nagar but the facility already has many project affected people shifted due to road widening projects. “We are facing an acute crunch of vacant homes posing questions on if the drive would be continued,” said an official requesting anonymity.

Deputy Commissioner Ashok Burpulle denied slowing down the evacuation and said the civic body was prepared to rehabilitate residents before June 7. “We will provide accommodation to those who require it at our rental housing facility,” he said.

Activists have warned of protests if residents were left in the lurch during the evacuation process.